Thoughts That Rock

In this episode, we talk with KRISTINA PAIDER, who is an award-winning storyteller, consulting and developmental editor, helping authors, speakers and executives craft their message in engaging, entertaining, and impactful ways.

THOUGHT #1

Observe, Not Judge

THOUGHT #2

Never Judge Another Knight without First Knowing the Strength and Cunning of the Dragons He Fights - Richelle E. Goodrich

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KRISTINA PAIDER'S BIO:

Kristina Paider is an award-winning storyteller with a 20 year track record of increasing revenues through story-driven strategy. She is an expert in maximizing return on investment on allocations ranging from modest non-profit budgets to $3.5 million. Her body of work spans all facets of strategic planning, research, writing, public relations, electronic media, communications and events.

As a consulting and developmental editor, she helps authors, speakers and executives craft their message in the most engaging, entertaining, and impactful way, based on the medium and tone.

Previously, Kristina was the Senior Vice President of marketing and research for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, where she set and executed the marketing strategy, including publishing 60+ research publications, and overseeing the client and investor experience, as well as communications for the firm’s business units. This contributed to the sale of $15 billion in hotel real estate assets. Additionally, under her stewardship, JLLH achieved and held the #1 press position for seven consecutive years and generated more than $1 million in press coverage annually.

A former journalist, she has worked for Tribune Newspapers, NBC News, and other news affiliates, covering business, lifestyle and entertainment. She has served as a spokesperson for Forbes, the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, and hotel trade magazines.

Kristina has won more than 13 global and national awards for her leadership and communications expertise.

Kristina is a feature film writer with an action-thriller project in development. Her best-selling book, Unbreakable Spirit, presented by Lisa Nichols, includes a chapter on her work as an activist with the NYFD on Ground Zero, following the events of 9/11. Her other projects include recovery work at New Orleans’ Musicians Village in the 9th Ward, one of the worst hit areas of Hurricane Katrina, life skills coaching at Turning Point homeless shelter in Los Angeles, and flood recovery work on the north coast, Dominican Republic.

Kristina’s latest book, The Hollywood Approach, came out in 2021 and is a gutsy guide that shows you how to apply the principles of Hollywood screenwriting to real life to live your wildest dream.

She travels by motorcycle, jumps into waterfalls, and is a guest chocolate chef.

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In this episode, we talk with JOSH DAVIES, who is a speaker, trainer, consultant and the Chief Executive Officer of The Center for Work Ethic Development.

THOUGHT #1

Just Because You CAN, Doesn’t Mean You SHOULD 

THOUGHT #2

 What's Helped with Saying NO to Others is Asking Myself First if I'm Saying YES Out of Guilt or Fear. If So, Then It's a Polite NO – Neil Strauss

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JOSH DAVIE'S BIO:

Josh Davies is passionate about helping others make a difference in their lives, jobs, and community. Through his work as a speaker and trainer, he has engaged and encouraged professionals across North America, the Middle East, and Asia. His engaging and connecting speaking style combined with relevant content make him an in-demand speaker, giving more than 75 keynote presentations and workshops to education, workforce, and corporate events annually. For the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Josh led the training for all 10,000 volunteers and more than 4,000 local service professionals for the event. Training Magazine named him as one of the top 10 trainers under 40 in America and the Denver Business Journal tapped him as one of Denver’s 40 Under 40.

Davies is currently the CEO of The Center for Work Ethic Development, an organization committed to developing workplace skills in the global workforce. Partnering with organizations in all 50 states and 6 countries, they equip trainers and teachers to build the workforce of the 21st Century. A graduate of American University, Josh has been awarded the Mile High Energy Award by Visit Denver, and an honorary Doctorate of Foodservice by the North American Food Equipment Manufacturers Association for his contributions to the industry. He finished serving his second term on the Executive Board of the Colorado Workforce Development Council, where he chaired the State Education and Training Steering Committee. He also led the P-Tech Selection Committee for Colorado and served on the board of the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative. In addition to his work in the public sector, Josh also served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, was President of the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART) and co-chaired the Colorado State Youth Council.

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In this episode, we talk with AARON DAWSON, who is the General Manager of Miramont and President of the Lone Star Chapter of the CMAA (Club Management Association of America), an association of private membership clubs and golf resorts.

THOUGHT #1

Right is Better than Right Now

THOUGHT #2

Good Work is Done with Dignity, And There Is No Dignity In Rushing - A.D. Aliwat 

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AARON DAWSON'S BIO:

Aaron Dawson became Miramont’s General Manager in April 2014, bringing more than two decades of exemplary leadership experience in the hospitality, private club management and restaurant industries to the Club. Dawson oversees a Miramont team of more than 180 dedicated professionals, as well as all the elegant and exceptional facilities at Miramont. More than that, though, he has consistently displayed an open-door service commitment and a hands-on approach to addressing the needs and concerns of Members and employees. His vision and pledge is to make Miramont a home away from home for Members and guests.

 Dawson, a native of Ohio, arrived at Miramont after serving from 2010-14 as the General Manager of Chenal Country Club in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dawson has also been the General Manager at Bentwater Yacht and Country Club in Montgomery, Texas. Prior to joining the Bentwater staff, Dawson was the GM for Brio/Bravo Restaurant Group, and he also served in various roles at Morton’s Steakhouse and Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. Dawson is an active member in Club Managers Association of America, currently serving as President of Lone Star Chapter of the CMAA.

 Dawson volunteers his time and efforts to various local organizations and fundraising efforts, serving as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees at Allen Academy and as Chair of the Annual Cadet Golf Classic and Patriot Dinner at Miramont that benefits Folds of Honor and the Financial Assistance Program at Allen Academy.

 He is an Advanced Corporate Client and Individual Certified Birkman Consultant, who has worked with numerous hospitality groups, as well as using the assessment to help young individuals with career selection. Dawson, who is also Mindset Perspective Certified, has presented with Sharon Birkman and Diana Sheley to show the power of Birkman to hospitality professionals. He is an avid user and promoter of the Birkman assessment.

 Dawson and his wife, Nikki, live in the Miramont subdivision with their two daughters: Olivia, who was born in 2005, and Madeline 2009.

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In this episode, we talk with MALLORY GOTT, who is the Founder & Creative Director of G+A, which is an experiential design firm that uses a deliberate framework and approach to delivering unforgettable events.

THOUGHT #1

If You Don't Know What to Do about a Situation, Flip A Coin 

THOUGHT #2

The Straight Line, a Respectable Optical Illusion Which Ruins Many a Man - Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

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MALLORY GOTT'S BIO:

After years designing experiences of all kinds (events, conferences, trade shows, learning programs, pop-ups, training, and more) for some of the world’s most discerning audiences, Mallory Gott, founder + creative director of G+A, realized that her approach – identifying the feelings she wanted an experience to evoke and then reverse-engineering those feelings through intentional design of each facet of the experience – was anything but typical.

From her unorthodox style, The 4D Framework was born and Mallory began guiding clients through an experience design thinking process, salvaging events, products, and services that seemed beyond help or in danger of falling prey to the status quo.

By focusing on emotion and desire first, working solutions instead of solving problems, and emphasizing intuitively-based decision making over a data-or-die mentality, G+A quickly amassed a portfolio of experiential design success stories helping client after client rediscover their innate magic to fantastic results and resounding success! If you’re a dynamic leader, incredible artist, visionary retailer, charismatic philanthropist, or just generally awesome person whose spidey senses are tingling after that read, then you’re just who we’re looking for, and we can’t wait to meet you!

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In this episode, we talk with VINCENT PUGLIESE, who is the owner of Total Life Freedom, a mastermind community for entrepreneurs and freelancers building a life of time, money and location freedom.

THOUGHT #1

Use Your Skills Correctly

THOUGHT #2

People Who are Unable to Motivate Themselves must be Content with Mediocrity, No Matter How Impressive Their Other Talents 

- Andrew Carnegie

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VINCENT PUGLIESE'S BIO:

Vincent Pugliese is the owner of Total Life Freedom, a mastermind community for entrepreneurs and freelancers building a life of time, money and location freedom. 

He is also the host of the Total Life Freedom Podcast, the author of Freelance to Freedom as well as the upcoming book, The Confluence, which is a guide for entrepreneurs on how to develop, enhance and blend their connections and their content to create a business that is unique to them and serves their clients perfectly.

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In this episode, we talk with LESLIE EHM, who is a spectacular keynote speaker, a coach and the author of Swagger: Unleash Everything You Are and Become Everything You Want (releases in May).

THOUGHT #1

Why Not You?

THOUGHT #2

The Moment You Doubt Whether You Can Fly, You Cease Forever to Be Able to Do It - J. M. Barrie (Peter Pan)

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LESLIE EHM'S BIO:

Leslie Ehm is a former TV host and advertising Creative Director turned training guru.

 She’s spent decades travelling the globe with her award-winning company Combustion, working with executives and teams from top organizations like Google, Disney, Pepsico, Lenovo TD Bank, FBC, Uber, and so many more. She’s turned technologists into creative forces, bankers into storytellers, and has brought a serious dose of badass-ness to boardrooms everywhere. 

Fueled by her unrelenting passion to unleash true human potential and based on her experience working with thousands of professionals from CEOs down to new grads, Leslie is also the author of Swagger: Unleash Everything You Are and Become Everything You Want (coming May 2021). She now devotes much of her time working as a Swagger Coach and speaker. She’s also a passionate amateur boxer and fighter for good. Leslie's been called “better than therapy”, “a rock star”, “ass-kicking”, “a force of nature” and even “a witch”. 

And she's there for ALL of it. 

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In this episode, we talk with TOM WEBSTER, who is the Sr. VP of Edison Research, a custom market research company best known as the sole providers of exit polling data during US elections for all the major news networks.

THOUGHT #1

Figure Out What People are Good At, Have Them Do That Thing, and You Will Be Successful

THOUGHT #2

You Have to Lift a Person Up Before You Can Really Put Them in Their Place - Criss Jami

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TOM WEBSTER'S BIO:

Tom Webster is Senior Vice President of Edison Research, a custom market research company best known as the sole providers of exit polling data during US elections for all the major news networks. 

He has over 20 years of experience researching consumer usage of technology, new media, and social networking, and is a frequent keynote speaker on consumer behavior and data.

Webster is the principal author of a number of widely-cited studies, including The Podcast Consumer series, The Smart Audio Report, The Social Habit, and is the co-author of The Infinite Dial, America's longest running research series on digital media consumption. 

Webster also has a deep background in both media and entertainment research, and has conducted the largest-ever segmentation study of music and lifestyle preference in UK history. 

He has shared a martini with Tom Jones, shown Paula Abdul a bad card trick, and can unfailingly recommend music to you better than Pandora.

Tom is also the co-host of the podcast, The Freenoter, along with his wife Tamsen, where they share thoughts, insights, best practices and pros & cons of speaking for free.

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It's our big 90-minute season 3 finale: The Backstage episode!!! 

For our 100th recorded episode, the podcast team sit around the studio table and have an open, honest conversation about how the show got started and what happens behind the curtain.

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JIM KNIGHT'S BIO:

A Training & Development veteran for 30+ years, Jim Knight facilitates on a variety of interactive topics, including sessions around amping up organizational culture, world-class differentiated service, building rock star teams and leadership.

Jim cut his teeth in the training field through the Hospitality industry, starting out in the snack bar at Gatorland Zoo, as a restaurant staff-level employee for Olive Garden and then as a host & manager at Hard Rock Cafe. He eventually became the head of the School of Hard Rocks, running point on all global learning & development functions for Hard Rock International.

Although part of a small training group that supported all cafe, hotel & casino properties, Jim Knight’s role at Hard Rock involved many facets of organizational training, including: creating/managing all staff & management training materials & programs, facilitating its corporate university, overseeing management training locations, producing training videos, directing company e-Learning initiatives, facilitating leadership transitions and traveling to properties to deliver on-site classes & measure standards.

Jim has put his experience and creativity to work, which has consistently developed cutting-edge training concepts. During his time with the Hard Rock brand, his team won coveted video Telly Awards (“Guest Service” in 2000, “Menu Rollout” in 2007, “Harassment & Discrimination Prevention” in 2008), garnered Training Directors Forum’s 1998 prize for “Reengineering Training” and won Brandon Hall’s Gold Best in Class Award for their “Service Recovery” e-Learning course. Jim Knight was also recognized by Training Magazine as representing one of the Top 125 training companies in the world out of all industries & businesses. Jim has since been featured in Forbes Magazine, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, Nation’s Restaurant News, Business News Daily and Fox Business News.

Jim has a music degree in Vocal Performance & Education and taught in the Florida public school system for 6 years, before catching the “hospitality bug”. He is a lifetime member of CHART (an Association of Hospitality Trainers), previously sat on the Certification Governing Board of the National Restaurant Association and started a local networking group (The Training Summit: CHART’s 1st Regional Training Forum) with over 100 active members in Central Florida, to share best practices and discuss common issues with other industry professionals. 

Jim is the Owner & CEO of Knight Speaker, which positions him to facilitate at any association or company event, in any industry, as a keynote or breakout speaker. He is also the best-selling author of Culture That Rocks: How to Revolutionize Your Company’s Culture, now in its 2nd edition, which was featured in Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the “5 Books That Will Help You Transform How You Do Business”.

Along with his business partner, Brant Menswar, Jim hosts a weekly leadership podcast called, Thoughts That Rock, which includes a rock star guest and presents 2 life-changing pieces of advice in 30 minutes. Finally, Jim and Brant offer a leadership training program called, Certified Rock Star, as an edu-taining, Rock ‘n Roll-inspired experience for leaders looking to amp up their business in a variety of areas.

A portion of Jim Knight’s book sales, podcast revenue, speaking fees and training program proceeds goes to No Kid Hungry to eliminate childhood hunger in the U.S. and Cannonball Kids’ cancer, which funds innovative, accessible research for children fighting cancer with better treatments, quality of life and options for those told they have run out of options.

BRANT MENSWAR'S BIO:

Brant Menswar is a core values activist, former rock star, one of the country’s “Top 10" motivational speakers and a self-professed coffee snob. His books and podcast (Thoughts That Rock) expand on the ground-breaking work around values-based leadership described as “disarmingly simple and incredibly powerful.” 

He has helped to change what’s possible for industry-leading organizations like Netflix, Verizon, Anthem, SunTrust, Microsoft, ESPN, Hilton, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and dozens more.

Passionate and engaging, Brant encourages audiences to discover their Black Sheep Values® and move forward with deliberate intention. His interactive and entertaining ways of defining what matters most compels audiences to dig deeper into their lives and start living on purpose.

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In this episode, we bring the podcast team together for an open discussion on the things we are thankful for (especially after the hot mess that was 2020), but also for our personal predictions for 2021. 

Raw, Honest, Scary and Enlightening...we cover it all.

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In this episode, we talk with Mike Ganino, who is a speaker, author, podcaster and storytelling + communication expert whose hair style rivals our own.

THOUGHT #1

No One Cares About Your Perfect Performance

THOUGHT #2

Because True Belonging Only Happens When We Present Our Authentic, Imperfect Selves to the World, Our Sense of Belonging Can Never Be Greater than Our Level of Self-Acceptance.” 

― Brené Brown 

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MIKE GANINO'S BIO:

Mike Ganino is a storytelling + communication expert who hosts The Mike Drop Moment podcast. He is an author, former Executive Producer of TEDxCambridge and has been named a top 30 Speaker by Global Guru. 

Mike teaches storytelling, presence, and public speaking to some of the biggest names and brands. 

He’s a trained actor and coach from the World Famous Second City, Improv Olympics, and Upright Citizen’s Brigade. 

In addition to his track record as an executive in the hotel, restaurant, retail, and tech industries, Mike’s worked with organizations like the Disney, American Marketing Association, and Uber.

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